Content Focus:
I talked to my teacher and decided I'd like to do the unit that focuses on "World at War," which includes WWI, the Great Depression, and WWII. Though I am in a seventh grade social studies class, since this year is a transition year it includes both theaters of the war. I haven't got too many specific ideas so far except that I would like to incorporate a lot of primary sources like footage from the war, interviews or letters from soldiers, etc. I want to make it real for the students and help them imagine what life was like then. My cooperating teacher mentioned she often uses the book Sadako and the 1,000 Paper Cranes in her class and has a sort of origami-day, which could potentially be fun. I'd also like to potentially use excerpts from novels set during WWII, especially if I can't find better primary sources corresponding to a certain topic.
Possible Themes:
Groupthink (how does someone like Hitler empower a nation?)
Holocaust victims
Japanese internment camps in America
Influence of the war on American society (more women in the work force, etc.)
Experiences of young soldiers in the war
Revised Theme:
As a theme for the Unit, I'd like to focus on "Fearlessness in the face of Evil," or something along those lines. From that approach I would focus on individuals or groups who contributed to the war in a positive way, highlighting individuals who went against the grain. This would naturally lead to a discussion of why some people didn't act out.
I talked to my teacher and decided I'd like to do the unit that focuses on "World at War," which includes WWI, the Great Depression, and WWII. Though I am in a seventh grade social studies class, since this year is a transition year it includes both theaters of the war. I haven't got too many specific ideas so far except that I would like to incorporate a lot of primary sources like footage from the war, interviews or letters from soldiers, etc. I want to make it real for the students and help them imagine what life was like then. My cooperating teacher mentioned she often uses the book Sadako and the 1,000 Paper Cranes in her class and has a sort of origami-day, which could potentially be fun. I'd also like to potentially use excerpts from novels set during WWII, especially if I can't find better primary sources corresponding to a certain topic.
Possible Themes:
Groupthink (how does someone like Hitler empower a nation?)
Holocaust victims
Japanese internment camps in America
Influence of the war on American society (more women in the work force, etc.)
Experiences of young soldiers in the war
Revised Theme:
As a theme for the Unit, I'd like to focus on "Fearlessness in the face of Evil," or something along those lines. From that approach I would focus on individuals or groups who contributed to the war in a positive way, highlighting individuals who went against the grain. This would naturally lead to a discussion of why some people didn't act out.
Potential Materials/Resources:
Potential Activities:
Thematic Unit Step 3 - 11.1.12 (SND)
Brief Evaluation Philosophy Draft (SND)
List of Evaluation Strategies Draft (SND)